Megan P - "Sejour"

Untitled from Megan Powers on Vimeo.

Robert DeLand - Multimodal

Multi-modal Video

Fire from Ana Pulido on Vimeo.

Kits Video

24 Questions

Untitled from cristy taylor on Vimeo.

24 Questions, Crity Taylor

Michael Waggy Multimodal

Multimodal Narrative Youtube Link

Holler,

Here's the link to the youtube version of my personal narrative. Quality is a little sketchy, but it works.

Animated Cat Story by Cian Delahunty

Born on a Bike by Carson McDonough

Biking has played and extremely important role in my life, here is the story.

Born on a Bicycle

Introduction

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?

My favorite class so far was a figure drawing class. I learned so much from being there and I know the class greatly increased my abilities to draw human figures.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?

I wrote a paper that was eight pages long. It did not include endnotes but it did include a bibliography.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.

My favorite paper I have ever written was a research paper on Andy Warhol. I have always looked up to his work and it was interesting learning more about his background and how he became the icon he is today.

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.

I have read the book Art and Fear. I learned a lot from reading it because it spoke about how to get over the fear of putting your ideas out into the world, something I am still trying to accomplish.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?

Bansky, the street artist, has always impressed me. The medium he chooses to use the most is graffiti. I think this impresses me so much because it is so similar to advertising, except he is saying his own thoughts. His work is like his own, self imposed propaganda.

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?

I enjoy yoga and snowboarding. It would be great to live in the mountains for a couple years after graduation.

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

Sadly, I cannot remember an article that really got me thinking lately.

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in.

I watched a documentary called The Cove on the issues going on in Japan right now regarding the slaughtering of dolphins. The documentary really opened my eyes to the issues with animal abuse throughout the world and not only the United States.

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.

I saw a Picasso exhibit this summer in New York's Museum of Modern Art. It impressed me because I was able to not only see his famous pieces but they also had cases of his sketches. I think an artist's sketches can be some of their most interesting work because they are so raw and unfinished.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to.

One of my yoga instructors spoke the other day about the improbability of finding peace anywhere outside of yourself.

An Introduction by Carson McDonough

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?

My favorite class I've taken at CU was Digital Media 1. I took it last semester for my minor in Technology, Arts, and Media and it really captured my imagination. The class consisted of learning photoshop, web design, flash animations, and creating digital music. I spent more time doing work for this class then I ever have on a class, but the work so creative and engaging that I didn't even care. I would spend days perfecting my work so that my final product would be as cool as possible, and I'm very proud of all the work I completed for that course.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?

The longest paper I've ever written was a 15 page paper, for my 1st year writing and rhetoric class. It was about possible ways that the youth hockey team that I used to play for could increase participation and funding. It did include a bibliography, but no endnotes.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.

My favorite paper was one that I had to write about my all time favorite teacher for a psychology experiment. Although the paper was a trick I still really enjoyed thinking and writing about it because it was an important topic that I had never really put much thought into before. I decided to choose not any of my school teachers, but my best friend's dad who was my long time sports coach and boss.

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.

Right now I'm in the middle of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Its very engaging, but hard to find time to read during the semester.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?

Currently I am very impressed with the work of Derek Frankowski and Ryan Gibb, particularly their work in the Mountain Bike Film, Life Cycles. The imagery is unbelievable, and the narration is thought provoking and deep.

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?

I'm very interested in Astronomy and Geology.

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

I saw something about solar bikinis that girls could plug their ipod into to charge it. I'm all for the solar movement, but I think solar clothes is a little over the top.

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in.

The majority of the things I learn about through the media are new products, and it makes me really aware of the consumeristic culture that we are involved in. Some inovations are great, but I wish we could get back to enjoying simpler things.

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.

After Christmas break, a couple of my friends and I drove back across the country from New Hampshire. We stopped in Chicago, and it happened to be free day at the Museum of Contemporary Art. We checked it out and there were some amazing exhibits. For example, a very unique 3d painting. There were also some strange exhibits like a guy on a balcony looking through a telescope that made him see everything upside down. He was speaking into a microphone describing people below in detail to see if they noticed or what their reaction would be.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to.

There is a thought that has stuck with me from when I was about 10 years old. I don't recall the origin of it, but when asked what my favorite subject in school was. I replied, science, because everything we know could eventually be proven wrong. This applies to more than just science, it reminds me to be skeptical of what people say, and to logically think about concepts rather than just taking someones word for it.

Introduction - Robert DeLand

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?

Sound Art was one of the most interesting classes I've ever taken. Most people are confused at the idea of sound art, because sound is hard to explain, and people want to compare it to music that they are familiar with. “Sound Art” is music, but highly experimental music with more emphasis on concepts and even politics behind the meanings. If you are interested in sound art look up Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Cage, Luigi Rusolo or Steve Reich, the list goes on. I really enjoy experimental art, basically anything that questions what is normal.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?

Six pages was the longest paper I've written, but looking back on it it seems like 25 pages, and no endnotes or bibliography. It was about avant-garde art and how institutions can make any piece of art look important. I wish I took this class first.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.

My favorite paper was for the course History of Jazz, and it was about a concert I saw on campus. The Pat Bianchi Group played some well known standards like Herbie Hancock and Art Blakey. We simply had to describe the concert which was actually enjoyable, but not as much as the concert.

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.

I'm not sure if this comes close to answering the question, but a book I read for my sound art class called “Microbionic: Radical Electronic Music and Sound Art in the 21st century” it went over the various sound artist of this generation and how performance art has influenced the development of Sound Art. Really fascinating stuff.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?

As some of you may know, I'm a huge Miles Davis fan. He was one of the few composers and musicians who really created the most original music to date, but for people who don't music that well it may seem like his music is similar to other artists. A lot of Miles earlier projects weren't too daring, compared to his fusion experiments, but nevertheless, his expressive and heavily lyrical style is captivating and enduring. Miles music is so influential even to artist today, but his sound cannot be copied or compared to any other art form.

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?

I'm interested in computers. Originally, I was going to get A+ certification, which is basically a computer technician, but it requires far too much involvement and money. I also like repairing and modifying bikes. There is a certain art to these hobbies, I guess.

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

I saw an article in Scientific American which tells you how to become smarter, or something stupid like that. They said exercise and even music training does that, but I don't know about that, but I'm skeptical because I don't like all the “junk science” that has bombarded the media. I figured out that the only thing that makes you smarter is putting down Scientific American.

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in.

To be very honest, I don't read too much news or blogs, especially anything that made me more aware of “culture”. What is “culture” anyway?

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.

I went to a musical last semester for my music appreciation class. It was called Carousel by Rogers and Hammerstein. I don't know that much about the culture behind musicals, but I know that I was shocked at how talented all of the singers and dancers were, but I was even more shocked that they could all stay in-sync. Although the subject matter didn't appeal to me too much, it was very emotional, but I wasn't moved to tears or anything. That says a lot coming from a metalhead.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to.

This is a hard question to answer because there are so many bits and pieces of books I had to read for class and independent research that I do on my own time and for my own interest. One interesting book however was Reflecting on Art with one of my professors John Fisher. As an artist it forced me to think about art from a philosophical perspective, which is quite challenging.

Introducing myself...

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?
My favorite class in college has been a French Musical class I took with Danica Trifunovic. The class was small and dedicated to learning French. I loved being in a small group, actually getting to know my classmates, and being able to express myself creatively.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?
The longest paper I've written was in high school and it was 20 pages. Probably not very good, now that I think about it... It included a bibliography but not endnotes.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.
My favorite paper was a short story I wrote in high school about a guy going to a costume party with his wife.

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.
I recently haven't had the time and the desire to read for pleasure... I wish I did... but I can't seem to finish a book. I think that when the stress of school subsides, I will have time to pursue reading on my own time. The last book I started was called : "Mon bel oranger", a French novel.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?
I am impressed by the Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who directed Amelie, for his intense dedication to the movie. I am amazed by his ability to plan out a movie so meticulously. I like to be more spontaneous when I create, so I think its interesting for me to see that intense planning works for some people.

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)? I am in the process of getting my teaching certificate and am extremely passionate about teaching, teaching philosophies and the politics of education. I am interested in teaching and education. I would like to teach at the high school level when I graduate college. I am passionate about the possibilities education can give someone.

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.
After the Arizona shooting, I was shocked to find that in the Boulder Weekly, the article talked about the shooter's question for Giffords in asking: "What is the purpose of government is words are meaningless?" Apparently her answer was not to his liking and he thus held a grudge against her ever since.

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in. I am obsessed with the website Ted Talks and recently watched one by Tony Porter. He spoke about the concept of the 'Man Box' and how our society's perceptions of what it means to be a man are contributing to violence towards women. It was an intense and emotional talk and I highly recommend it.

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why. I recently went to an '80's night concert at the Sundown Saloon. I loved seeing a mix of generations, from my own, to younger, to baby boomers enjoying, singing and dancing along to favorites from that decade. I was impressed to see such a large crowd appreciating the revival of the era.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to. I am recently shocked and interested in the recent changes to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Although many high schools banned the book due to the use of the word 'nigger', and thus could not partake in the enjoyment of the classic, I believe that the original intent of the author is not respected. The author intended to include every word. I also am appalled that this controversy will mislead its new generation of readers towards censorship, and detract from the real issue at hand: racism in our country. I think that the word choice in the novel can lead towards a discussion, rather than detract from its original meaning and intent.

Introductions

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why? Michelangelo is my favorite – The professor and the subject are exceptional. Refreshing to study art.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography? The longest was a whitepaper for a corporate reorganization, and was around 35 -40 pages. It included citings for external data sources.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences. My favorite research paper I did was on high school education, and the role of parents in education. After considerable research, including visiting high schools, sitting through classes, interviewing students and teachers it was clear that the more involved parents are in their kids’ school work, and school life, the more interested and successful the kids are in school. Race, economic status, gender, status of parents (single, divorced, working, both in family, etc.) were not major factors.

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome. Re-read Memoirs of a Geisha

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why? One of my favorites is Zvonimir Mihanovic. His work is stunningly beautiful, simple, and unpretentious. He works with light, water, and boats – I could look at his pictures all day – especially in such a dry place as Colorado.

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)? I am an avid sailor and have a boat in Seattle, so I’m always anxious to sail. I also love sailing in the Caribbean, particularly “off the beaten path” islands like Bequia.

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in. The most impactful was 9/11 via the television. I usually don’t get my news off of the internet.

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why. I went to the Picasso exhibit in Seattle over Christmas. The SAM did a great job of exhibiting in a cohesive fashion – and explaining the background. Wasn’t crazy about the work, and upon doing my own research, subsequently read a quote from Picasso’s confession to Giovanni Papini Nov. 1951….” The less they understood them, the more they admired me. Through amusing myself with all these absurd farces, I became celebrated …But when I am alone, I do not have the effrontery to consider myself an artist at all, not in the grand old meaning of the word: Giotto, Titian, Rembrandt, Goya., they were great painters. I am only a public clown. I have understood my time and have exploited the imbecility, the vanity, the greed of my contemporaries. It is a bitter confession of mine, more painful than it may seem. But at least and at last it does have the merit of being honest.” Finally.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to. Buddha’s concept of mindful speech: To be mindful, speech must be true, timely, useful, and said gently and with compassion.

Lauren Light: An introduction

I actually have Kira van Lil for a class this semester and so I've already thought about these, kind of weird to answer them twice, but here it goes ;)

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?
As far as my favorite class so far, I have to give that one to a Global Seminar (Art in Spain). I probably should probably exclude those classes, but I was so excited to visit museums such as the Prado, Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Seeing much of the artworks that I have studied in books, getting to experience them in person, really inspired and excited me.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?
The longest research paper that I have had to write was required to be 20 pages (intense...). It included footnotes and a bibliography.

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.
The most gratifying paper that I have had to write was one about the talented artist Remedios Varo. I explored her life and art, followed by a discussion of how her personal journey for freedom (in many forms) related to her artwork. I think it is cheesy to quote myself but for this question I will put those thoughts aside: “Her drive to become an individual became a crucial theme in her art work, and because of it, her work is centered on a desire to discover a sense of freedom or examines the ways in which she felt she was not free.”

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.
My New Years resolution to read more has now been accelerated seeing as how, aside from what is required of me by classes and work, I have not picked up a book in about a year…. how embarrassing.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?
Jason deCaires Taylor (Artist). He really impresses me because he found a way to create art that alludes to a problem that the art itself is helping to correct. I have included a link so everyone can read about the project: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/pictures/110105-underwater-sculpture-park-garden-cancun-mexico-caribbean-pictures-photos-science/

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?
My main interests include my family (I try to spend as much time as possible with them), My dog (who, as an interest, includes outdoor activity like jogging and hiking and snowshoeing since I do those things with her...), and I am trying to get into cooking (which can be considered a form of art, so maybe we'll group that under "homemaking"?)

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.
*See question #4 regarding reading, see question #10 for an article that really got me thinking ;)

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in.
This is not an event, and I am not positive of its validity, but it got me thinking about culture and the power of brand names...
www.mint.com/blog/trends/the-rip-brand-vs-generic-drugs/

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.
I have spent about an hour trying to think of a cultural event that has impressed me, but I guess that I am harder to impress than I previously thought… Bummer.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to.
I hope that the link I am posting for this question gets visited. I would really like to hear thoughts you may have. It discusses postmodernism and commercialism.
http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/88/the_coming_barbarism.html

Introductions

1.) My favorite class was IGWD - "Intergalactic Weapons Design." It was an intense tech - theatre class that focused on props building techniques, and the results were awesome portfolio projects. I now have a light saber, a "Harry Potter" wand, a 6' Death Ray, and a replica of a battle axe called "The Greataxe of the Ebon Blade" (a weapon in a computer game).

2.) The longest paper I've had to write was 10 pages, and it included a bibliography.

3.) My favorite paper was an artist research assignment for a sculpture class, on hyper-realistic sculptor Ron Mueck (one of my favorites--I mentioned his name in the 1st assignment). The more I learned about him, the more intrigued I was. Before creating the incredible sculptures he is known for today, he worked on the movie "The Labyrinth," building some of the creatures and providing the voice of Ludo. I was stunned to realize that this primarily self-taught artist is on a path that I aspire to follow.

4.) Most of the books I've read recently are course-related, although I try to read up on electronics and robotics when I find some time.

5.) An artist who really impresses me - See #3

6.) Most of my interests are arts-related. As I've mentioned in class, animatronics and robotics are my new-found interest (borderline obsession). I also like cooking and wandering aimlessly.

7.) I haven't had time to read a newspaper or magazine in a long time.

8.) I recently saw an article online about facebook obsession that made me more aware of the culture I live in. The article stated that there are 500,000,000 active facebook users, which means that roughly 1 in 13 people worldwide use the site. It also said that 57% of people talk to people more online than in real life. The numbers were surprising to me. While I'll admit I check mine once or twice a day, I definitely don't use it as a primary means of communication the way most people do, mostly because I don't feel compelled what I'm thinking/doing/hungry for every minute of the day with the rest of the world.

9.) A cultural event that has made a negative impression on me lately is the technological disaster surrounding "Spiderman: The Musical" on Broadway. The show seems to have been a nightmare to produce due to the nature of the effects they're using and the related technical difficulties. It has also been incredibly dangerous to the cast on a regular basis. Several actors have been caught in the flying mechanisms and broken limbs. The issue of keeping theatre fresh and drawing new audiences means that theatre may need to compete with the movies, but this is an example of that attempt gone horribly wrong.

10.) A few years ago I read a book called "How to Survive and Prosper as an Arist Without Selling Your Soul" and it truly expanded my intellectual horizon. This book offers a variety of tips and interesting insight for anyone who wants to avoid the "starving artist" lifestyle. One key point in particular rocked my world and opened a new level of awareness in my life: in art classes at the college level, there is sometimes a sense of selfishness or fear on the part of teaching because the students will become extra competition for gallery spaces and showings. As such, some teaching professionals may be holding back some of their trade secrets rather than exposing what they know for the enrichment of the fledgling student artist.

Questions toward an Intellectual Autobiography

Dear Everyone,

Please take a moment to introduce yourselves to the class. Sharing one’s writing is a vulnerable act, so the more community we create in this class, the more worthwhile and constructive you’ll find the peer review sessions. I’ve included some questions I would like you to answer, but of course feel free to add whatever you think will help us get a sense of “you.”

Please answer the questions in a separate post, and file under the parent category "Introductions." You can add other tags in the separate tag box. Also, feel free to post a thumbnail picture of yourself or your artwork, etc.

1. Which was your favorite class so far? And why?

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?

3. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.

4. Which books did you read of late - art, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel? Comments are welcome.

5. Which artist or writer or musician or director really impresses you? And why?

6. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?

7. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

8. Please share an event that you found out about through the media, including an on line news or blog that made you more aware of the culture you live in.

9. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.

10. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those among the others who are interested know where to go to.

(Questions courtesy of Kira Van Lil via Nancy Hightower, both colleagues extraordinaires)

Welcome

Dear all,

This is the course blog where you will be posting personal narratives

and a response to Intellectual Biography questions that follow. I will respond to your postings

that form part of your overall grade.

All the best,

Frances